[Other Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/other-communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other communication & media studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among other communication & media studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $50,556. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,630 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #4 place for other communication & media studies. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $37,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #6 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $58,760. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #7 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,543. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $32,465. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $24,063. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
North Park University earned the #9 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $27,360. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #10 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $53,377. That is a strong return on a $26,602 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,112 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $69,611. Set against $18,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,916 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $31,495 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
